Weapon Adjustments
Numerous changes have been made to Vanguard (VG) Weapons and Attachments. Names, Descriptions, Pros, Cons, and Stat Bars have been updated in-game to reflect these changes.
In addition to the above mentioned Vanguard changes, the following Modern Warfare (MW) and Black Ops Cold War (BOCW) Weapon adjustments have been made:
» Assault Rifle «
- AK-47 (BOCW)
- Initial Recoil Deviation increased
We do not believe the AK-47 (BOCW) is imbalanced. However, we want to stay on top of Weapons that have a consistently fast Time to Kill by ensuring their handling and behavior is consistent with other similarly effective Weapons.
- EM2 (BOCW)
- Neck Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.1, up from 1.2
- Recoil Magnitude increased
- Recoil Deviation increased
The EM2 (BOCW) has exerted an impressive level of dominance over the long-range engagement space since its debut. Generally, this can happen when a Weapon’s Time to Kill potential is not met with adequate downsides. Slow-firing Weapons like the EM2 (BOCW) naturally lend themselves to higher-skilled players, as missed shots are far more detrimental. In the case of the EM2 (BOCW), we felt its mechanical input was not equivalent to its output. We have adjusted its Recoil behavior such that it will require more active Recoil countering. We are also reducing its Neck Multiplier – which will affect some of its ‘realistic’ TTK breakpoints while leaving its actual TTK potential unchanged.
» Marksman Rifle «
- Crossbow (MW)
- Neck Damage increased to 250, up from 200
- Upper Torso Damage increased to 240, up from 200
- Lower Torso Damage increased to 220, up from 200
- Marksman Rifle Charlie (MW)
- Flinch Resistance decreased by 62%
The Marksman Rifle Charlie (MW) and the Swiss K31’s (BOCW) have benefited greatly from heavily reduced Flinch – an attribute which has been exclusive to ‘aggressive’ snipers for quite some time. A considerable reduction to their base Flinch Resistance will require some acclimation, as veteran snipers will find that they can no longer challenge Assault Rifles as consistently while sustaining fire in long-range engagements.
- R1 Shadowhunter (BOCW)
- Neck Damage increased to 250, up from 200
- Upper Torso Damage increased to 240, up from 200
- Lower Torso Damage increased to 220, up from 200
The Crossbow (MW) and the R1 Shadowhunter (BOCW) have not received much attention since they landed in the Warzone. We are aiming to optimize their effectiveness without inadvertently creating all-out arrow warfare on Caldera.
» Melee «
- Ballistic Knife (BOCW)
- Upper Torso Damage increased to 248, up from 246
- Lower Torso Damage increased to 225, up from 195
- Upper Arm Damage increased to 200, up from 180
- Lower Arm Damage increased to 190, up from 180
- Upper Leg Damage increased to 200, up from 160
- Lower Leg Damage increased to 190, up from 160
Similar to the Crossbow (MW) and the R1 Shadowhunter (BOCW), we are increasing the effectiveness of the Ballistic Knife (BOCW). A single, well-aimed piece of Tactical Equipment can put an enemy within one-shot range to the Upper Torso, creating a surprising one-two punch.
- Baseball Bat (BOCW)
- Lunge Distance decreased by 47%
- Battle Axe (BOCW)
- Lunge Distance decreased by 38%
- Cane (BOCW)
- Lunge Distance decreased by 46%
- Mace (BOCW)
- Lunge Distance decreased by 42%
Dying to Melee Weapons can often feel unfair (and unfun). Lunge distances could push some Melee Weapons over the edge when combined with the ability to achieve Melee Finisher damage in only two hits – giving Players only a few hundred milliseconds to react. As a result, even fully kitted Players could feel out-muscled in close quarters, which simply should not happen. Players wielding Melee Weapons will now be much less threatening granted there is not an overabundance of missed shots.
» Shotgun «
- Shotgun Bravo (BOCW)
- Movement Speed decreased by 1.2%
- ADS Movement Speed decreased by 8.6%
With its inherent BOCW mobility, and generous magazine sizes, the Shotgun Bravo (BOCW) has remained a force to be reckoned with despite receiving several balance changes. Reducing the Shotgun Bravo’s (BOCW) mobility will make it more susceptible to the downsides one would expect from Weapons in its class. Without that mobility to quickly close the gap into its deadly Maximum Damage Range, the Shotgun Bravo (BOCW) will become a more equitable selection.
» Sniper Rifle «
- Swiss K31 (BOCW)
- Flinch Resistance decreased by 62%
» Submachine Gun «
- OTs 9 (BOCW)
- Maximum Damage decreased to 30, down from 31
- Headshot Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.33, down from 1.52
- Submachine Gun Alpha (BOCW)
- Maximum Damage decreased to 20, down from 31
- Headshot Damage Multiplier decreased to 1.41, down from 1.45
- Submachine Gun Charlie (MW)
- Fire Rate decreased to .08, down from .075
- Sprint to Fire Speed decreased by 2.6%
- Note: These changes only affect Warzone.
The OTs 9 (BOCW) has ruled over the short-range space for some time and changes to it will surely come as no surprise. As a preemptive measure, we will also be adjusting several Weapons that have been waiting in the wings to take its place once dethroned. While it is sad to see our favorite Weapons take a hit to their effectiveness, we feel the pool of viable short-range Weapons will benefit from this anticipatory adjustment.
NOTE: An imminent update will further address Bloom and include adjustments to Weapons including the PPSh-41 (VG).
